"Then why did Arthur listen to Ginevra and not you or me?"
Cador jumped in. "I truly think he only meant you to go away from Caer Leon for a short time, give people a chance to forget."
"Have they forgotten? Has Ginevra?"
"Not Ginevra, no."
"Then how do you think I can return? Arthur values peace in his domestic life more than me."
Bedwyr shook his head, pursing his lips. "There will never again be peace in Arthur's domestic life, Cai."
"What do you mean?"
Cador and Bedwyr glanced at each other, and then Cador addressed Cai. "Ginevra and Medraut are having an affair."
Cai stared at them for a moment before answering. "Does Arthur know?"
"No."
"Why have you not told him?"
"You know how Arthur is about Medraut since his nephew saved his life," Bedwyr said. "Arthur needs those loyal to him close right now. Besides, if he has to go to war against Chlodovech, you are so remote here, you may not be able to join the army headed to Gaul in time."
Cai sighed. "As I cannot return to Caer Leon while the accusations against me still stand, perhaps Lindinis would be a compromise."
"And you can take over my stables while I take over yours," Cador added.
The way Cai's lips tightened, it was obvious he was not yet ready to joke about the situation. Bedwyr threw Cador a warning glance.
"We will figure out a way to rehabilitate you," Bedwyr said.
"The only way to do that would be to find the beggar who accused me. Or perhaps Myrddin."
"Gareth's men have searched Caer Leon and Caer Gwent for Peredur's witness, with no luck," Cador said.
"Perhaps Gawain could get more out of Peredur," Cai suggested. "They used to ride together, after all."
Cador and Bedwyr looked at each other. The seat of Gawain's wife Ragnell was not far from Peredur's seat at Eburacum. But Cador didn't know if he was up to visiting his wife's former lover.
"We will do it," Bedwyr said quickly before Cador could voice any objections.
Cador sighed.
* * * *
On the journey through the northern provinces of Britain, Cador finally began to understand on a more visceral level what had driven the sons of Caw and their allies to attack Dumnonia. Long before they reached the seat of Ragnell and Gawain in Elmet, they began to meet begging children on the road, children whose limbs were little more than skin and bone, children who seemed to consist merely of outstretched hands and eyes too large for their faces.
At first, Cador gave to every child who approached him, but he noticed that the farther north they traveled, and the more children who approached them, the less he gave. Yes, he was running out of the old copper coins most people in Britain still carried with them in the pouches at their waist for everyday purchases — but with every mile they traveled, he was also becoming more inured to the sight of hunger.
And they were not even in the regions seriously struck by the previous harsh winters yet — Hadrian's Wall was still over a hundred miles away.
To Cador's relief, the small kingdoms in the region of Elmet did not seem quite as hard struck as some of the areas they passed through. The village at the foot of Caer Camulodon, while far from a bustling town like Caer Leon or Lindinis, seemed prosperous enough.
As they approached the ramparts of the hill-fort, Cador had to suppress his discomfort. The last time he'd seen Gawain, the other man had been kissing his wife. Then the heavy wooden doors were thrown open, and Gawain stepped forward, a sleeping infant on his right shoulder.
"Welcome, friends!"
They dismounted, and Cador let Bedwyr greet their host first. Finally, the moment could be put off no longer. He stretched out his hand. "It is good to see you again Gawain."
"What brings you so far north?"
"We are trying to assist Cai in returning to Caer Leon," Bedwyr said. "And we were hoping you might be able to help."
Gawain pursed his lips, and the baby on his shoulder squirmed. Cador found himself charmed by the image of the famous warrior not above carrying an infant in public. "I do not know how much success I would have. Peredur came here after Loholt's death, and I sent him away."
Cador's hopes sank.
Their host led them into the hill-fort, explaining that Ragnell had not come to greet them because she was feeling unwell. "She's pregnant with our second already, but she's having a harder time of it than with Gyngolyn here." Suddenly Gawain laughed. "You must think it strange for me to come out to you like this, with a tiny babe on my arms."
"The question had occurred to me what became of the famous warrior Gawain," Bedwyr drawled.
Gawain laughed again. "It's odd, I know. I have several bastards already, but I have never been a father. I'm enjoying it more than I could have imagined." He turned to Cador with a smile. "I'm slowly becoming a farmer king too."
Not for the first time, Cador found himself envious of his friend — but for a very different reason. Once again, they had changed places, only this time it was not regarding the woman. While Cador had reluctantly taken on a major role in Caer Leon, Gawain now spent most of his time happily overseeing his own kingdom.
Cador wondered if he would still be able to create something similar to what Gawain had — assuming he was lucky enough to have a second chance.
* * * *
Before the evening meal, Gawain drew Cador aside. "Has there been any news from Yseult?"
Cador shook his head. "Not since last summer. I can only hope it is a sign she still lives: news of royal deaths always seem to reach us somehow, no matter how rough the seas."
Gawain gripped his shoulder, and Cador couldn't help remembering how this man had gripped his wife's shoulders while he kissed her.
Gawain dropped his hand. "You have nothing to fear from me, Cador," he said quietly. "She wanted no more from me after marrying you. And now — now I have Ragnell. Still ... Yseult ... I worry. I — for years, she was very important to me. And a friend for many more."
At a loss for words, Cador recalled the way he'd felt after Cwylli's death, even though they had shared no more physical intimacy than a mad, impulsive session against a wall in his villa.
He nodded shortly. "I think I understand. Let us speak no more of it."
Gawain heaved a sigh of relief.
* * * *
Despite Gawain's pessimism regarding Peredur, he agreed to accompany them to Eburacum. But before they had even begun to plan their journey, an urgent message reached them from Caer Leon. Chlodovech had finally made good his threat and attacked the easternmost kingdoms of Armorica. Arthur intended to sail for Gaul at the earliest opportunity and required the presence of all his companions.
* * * *
A dismal spring shower pelted Medraut as he waited at the docks of Moridunum, the largest port in this part of Britain. His mother and grandmother had not been blessed with auspicious weather for their arrival. At least here they were far from the armies of the Frankish king Chlodovech. As rough as the seas had turned, it was fortunate they arrived safely.
Squinting into the rain, he watched as the landing boat was rowed to the docks. Beside him stood Arthur and Aircol, king in these parts, and beside Arthur, Ginevra, who luckily had her attention trained on the refugees being rowed to shore rather than on him.
Ygerna was helped out of the landing boat first, and Arthur stepped forward to embrace her. "Welcome to Britain, Mother."
Ginevra embraced her as well. "We hope you will be comfortable here in Moridunum. If you change your mind and want to move to Caer Leon, you are welcome at any time."
"Thank you," Ygerna said graciously. "But my daughter prefers not to live in a garrison town."
A little behind Arthur stood Kustennin with Arthur's cousin Modrun, two people who had no reason to be here other than as members of Arthur's party. But since Loholt's death, Kustennin had advanced from standard bearer to a minor general in Arthur's forces, almost like a substitute son.
Medraut didn't understand how an untried youth had come so far in such a short time. Perhaps because Kustennin and Loholt had been friends? It was a good thing Medraut had planned for more than one eventuality.
Then Anna too was assisted to the docks, followed by Medraut's young son Melehan. Medraut took Melehan up in one arm and laid the other around his mother. His son squirmed, uncomfortable, obviously wanting be put down, and Medraut obliged.
"It is good to see you, Mother," Medraut said, kissing her cheek. "I'm glad you are safely away from the fighting."
"As am I," Anna said with a sigh. "I only wish Budic could have come with us. The barbarians are set to overrun Armorica!"
"Father had to remain behind to see that they do not," Medraut said as gently as he could. "And we will join him and the other kings of Armorica as soon as possible."
Which would be too soon for his plans. Events were unfolding more quickly than Medraut had anticipated; he would have to speed up his preparations, make a number of adjustments. Before he left with Arthur's forces, he would have to send messengers to Cerniw and Vectis. It would not be a good idea to try and maneuver his way into staying in Caer Leon, with the kingdoms of his father Budic and his grandfather Hoel at risk.
But once in Armorica, he might well be able to find an honorable way to return to Britain and move forward with his backup plan of mobilizing nearby discontented kings. A good leader was able to quickly change tactics, and Medraut had long been following multiple strategies. He would be quite capable of adjusting his plans, especially with a substantial part of the armies of Britain soon across the ocean, fighting on the border between Armorica and Gaul.
Yes, he would have to move sooner than expected, but it could still turn out to be perfect. Medraut barely suppressed an inappropriate grin when he embraced his grandmother Ygerna.
Chapter 24
The three Faithless Wives of the Island of Britain:
The three daughters of Culfanawyd of Britain:
Essyllt Fair-Hair (Trystan's mistress),
and Penarwan (wife of Owain son of Urien),
and Bun, wife of Fflamddwyn.
And one was more faithless than those three:
Gwenhwyfar, Arthur's wife, since she shamed a better man than any of them.
Trioedd Ynys Prydein (The Welsh Triads)
The passage to Britain was rough and perhaps risky, but Yseult had not wanted to wait in the port of Inber Da Glas for the next ship. Waiting might have been more sensible, but something pushed Yseult on, told her she needed to hurry. She didn't understand what the feeling meant, but if it came from her power of knowing, then it was best she heed it.
She hoped there was nothing the matter with Cador.
The ship on which she'd found passage was headed for Abona — not her destination, but at least it was only a short boat trip across the Sabrina Estuary to the port at the mouth of the River Usk. Yseult spent the night in an inn and took the ferry the next day. From there, her party took a smaller boat up the river. By the time she reached Caer Leon, it was May — over a year since she'd last seen Cador.
When she stepped off the boat, the garrison town felt strangely empty, without the bustle Yseult was used to. Her heart sank — she was too late. She still did not know why, but the answers would lie within the thick Roman walls. Riona squirmed and whimpered in her arms, and Yseult laid her on her shoulder, bouncing her gently as she approached the gates of the city with her men-at-arms. The guard on duty recognized her and waved her and her men through, although she thought his eyes widened a bit at the sight of the babe on her shoulder. She had no interest in delving into his thoughts to see if she was right.
"What news?" she asked the guard. "It appears many of the fighting forces are gone."
He nodded. "The Frankish king Chlodovech is advancing on the British kingdoms of Armorica, and Arthur has gone to Gaul to help defend them."
With a sinking feeling, Yseult led her small party to the principia. Within the walls, Caer Leon was livelier than without, but the ratio of men to women had been reversed from what it usually was. Was it at all possible that Cador was still here? No, of course not. If Arthur needed him, he would go — as would Kustennin.
She would just have to pray that they survived this campaign.
When she arrived in the courtyard of the principia, Gareth came out to greet her. At least that: Arthur had left an honest man in charge of Caer Leon.
Gareth took both her shoulders in his hands, smiling broadly. "Yseult! We've been worried about you — the news from Eriu has not been good. And with a babe! Yours?"
"Yes. Meet Riona," she said, shifting the baby in her arms and pushing the blanket back from her face. "Cador is finally a father. But I assume he is gone with the rest?"
Gareth sighed. "I'm sorry, Yseult. He left for Armorica with Arthur's troops a week ago." He explained the increased threat from Chlodovech that had forced Arthur's mother and sister to flee to safety across the sea — and had made it imperative that the armies of Britain go to their help. "With sea passage still so unreliable, they took the shorter crossing from the port south of Durnovaria."
"And Kustennin?"
"He too went with them."
As she had suspected. "You are surprised about the babe. I take it Cador never received my missive telling him of her birth?"
Gareth shook his head. "No, he's had no news from you since last summer. We've all been worried." Gareth graced her with his wide, good-natured smile. "I can hardly tell you how good it is to see you whole and safe. And with a beautiful new baby!" He tickled Riona's cheek, and she responded with a gurgle of pleasure, very near a laugh.
Normally Yseult loved it when her daughter made sounds so close to laughter, but this time she found herself pressing her eyes shut with thumb and forefinger. Cador had gone to war without knowing she would return, without knowing he was a father.
He might never see his daughter.
"May I take her?" Gareth asked, his voice gentle, his mind full of sympathy.
Yseult dropped her hand and opened her eyes again. "Certainly," she said, handing him the little girl. "Is there any way you could have a message sent to Armorica — that has a good chance of arriving?"
Gareth took the bundle with a wide grin. "Of course, Yseult." He jiggled Riona, making her smile; she was completely ignorant of the things that troubled her mother.
Lifting Riona to his shoulder, he turned back to Yseult. "This babe is at least as important as any report I need to send Arthur now. What a lovely little girl! I will finish my next report tomorrow and send a special messenger."
Riona's high, hiccoughing sounds of happiness were catching, and Yseult found herself smiling despite her disappointment.
"Thank the gods for children," Gareth said quietly, as if he had read her mind.
"Amen," Yseult said, surprising herself with her use of a Christian response. They both laughed.
An experienced parent, Gareth shouldered the baby with no recognizable worries as to Riona's fragility. For her part, she seemed very happy in the arms of an experienced father, even if she had never seen him before. "Come, let us go to the audience chamber of the principia, and I will have refreshments brought. There is much that has happened since you left, much you need to know."
Yseult nodded and followed him, her worry returning. The tone of his voice promised no good news.
* * * *
Shortly after she had settled down with Gareth in the small audience chamber for a light repast, Modrun arrived.
Yseult rose, and they gave each other the kiss of peace. "I thought I felt your presence," Modrun said. "I'd like to invite you to stay with me while you are in Caer Leon."
"I would be glad to — as long as you also have room for my little girl." Neither she nor Cador had ever kept a residence in Caer Leon, so they either had to take rooms or were dependent on the hospitality of others when they were here.
Modrun's eyes widened and she finally noticed the baby asleep on the co
uch beside Yseult. Before she could say anything, Ginevra hurried in as well. "Yseult!" Ginevra took her in an enthusiastic embrace. "It is good to see you again — we were all so worried about you! Tell me you will not be leaving again soon — everything is so empty and bleak here with nearly half the population of Caer Leon gone."
"I don't know," Yseult said. "Enid will want to see her granddaughter as soon as possible, I am sure."
"Enid — granddaughter?" Then Ginevra too noticed the sleeping baby, and she hugged Yseult again. "Oh, I am so happy for you! Would you and your little girl like to stay with me while you are in Caer Leon?"
Yseult shook her head. "I'm sorry, I've already accepted an invitation from Modrun."
Ginevra's face fell for a moment, but then she smiled again. "It is no matter. You will come see me every day while you are here. Do say you will stay for a while!"
Yseult reached out with her mind to Modrun; the older woman hoped too that Yseult would stay, if for very different reasons. She thought Yseult might be able to take Ginevra's mind off of Medraut. So it had come as Yseult had feared before she left for Eriu: the two were having an affair.
But more importantly, Modrun feared Arthur's nephew was plotting to use his influence over Ginevra against the Dux Bellorum.
* * * *
That evening, after an afternoon spent visiting and showing off the baby, Yseult was finally able to accompany Modrun to her house in Caer Leon. Yseult was given what surely had to be the largest guest room.
"It's for two people," Modrun said with a smile.
One of the servants found a crib for Riona somewhere, which Yseult had set up in a corner of the room. She would have to send for some things from Lindinis if she was going to stay here for any length of time, but for now she had to make do with borrowed goods.
She was bone tired, and once she had her daughter retired, she lay down on the bed and stared at the ceiling. Yseult didn't know what to think. She had seen the affair between Medraut and Ginevra coming, but she was the last person who could chastise someone for adultery. Besides, she had long pitied Ginevra for the respectful disinterest with which Arthur treated his wife.
Shadow of Stone (The Pendragon Chronicles) Page 38